Chelsea have joined the race to sign Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Blues will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in an £18million battle for the Liverpool star.

The future of Alonso, 27, has been the subject of intense speculation since the end of the season.

He cast further doubt about where he will be playing next season during the Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa.

Alonso was non-committal about his plans – the broadest hint yet that he is on his way out of Liverpool, who are also battling to keep Argentine international Javier Mascherano.

Mascherano is wanted by Barcelona – and sources in Spain last night suggested that if he did join the European champions, Manchester United would move for Barca’s versatile Yaya Toure.

Chelsea have also been alerted to Alonso’s unrest and he is a player who is admired by new manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian is aware Chelsea need to bring down the average age of their midfield.

Frank Lampard was 31 yesterday and Michael Ballack will be 33 in September.

Temporary manager Guus Hiddink said before he left his stand-in role in May that Chelsea needed to inject younger players into their squad – and Alonso would fit the bill perfectly.

He arrived at Anfield five years ago from Real Sociedad for £10.5m and has established himself as a key member of the first-team squad under Rafa Benitez.

But his relationship with the manager became increasingly frosty last season and it now looks likely that he will be on his way out of Liverpool this summer.

Real would love to bring him back to Spain. It is appreciated at the Bernabeu that while Real will have an unstoppable strike force with the likes of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and possibly Franck Ribery, there is also the need for more stability in central midfield.

Alonso would bring that balance. He has developed into a highly-rated part of the Spain outfit who have the No.1 ranking in the world following their success in Euro 2008 a year ago in Austria and Switzerland.

Alonso is certain to be an integral part of Vincente del Bosque’s plans for the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer.

But it has also been recognised at Chelsea that Alonso has adapted well into life in the Premier League and he speaks perfect English.

His style would also suit Ancelotti and he could now become the former Milan manager’s first major signing at Stamford Bridge.

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SHEVCHENKO HOPES TO REMAIN AT CHELSEA

Andriy Shevchenko wants to honour his contract with Chelsea and will report for pre-season training with the Blues on July 9.

The Ukraine forward, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan, has one year left on his contract with the Premier League outfit - and intends to see it out.

"On July 9 I will join Chelsea in pre-season training," said Shevchenko to Corriere dello Sport.

"Then we will see what happens."

The 32-year-old hopes the arrival of former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea will allow him to prove his worth at Stamford Bridge.

"I have spoken to the coach who has given me an appointment for pre-season training," he said.

"I have one year left on my contract with Chelsea and I intend to respect it and honour it in the best possible way."

Shevchenko's second spell at Milan proved unsuccessful with the striker scoring twice in nine starts for the Rossoneri last term.

Serie A club Roma are reportedly keen to acquire Shevchenko's services but the player insists his priority is to stay at Chelsea.

"If there was a concrete offer then I would evaluate it together with Chelsea," said Shevchenko.

"If it will not be possible to continue my career at Chelsea then I will look at other options.

"I consider (Roma coach Luciano) Spalletti a great coach, serious and prepared.

"He is able to bring out the best of his players.

"When I met him there was a good feeling between us."
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AC MILAN have opened the door for Andrea Pirlo to join Chelsea.

New Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen for Pirlo to follow him to Stamford Bridge this summer.

And Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has admitted the club are willing to listen to offers for the 30-year-old midfielder.

Berlusconi said: "If there's an offer, it should be considered."

Milan had previously stated Pirlo would not be allowed to leave the San Siro.

Berlusconi himself promised the club's fans that Kaka, who joined Real Madrid for £62million, would be the only big departure before the start of the new Serie A season.

But the seven-time European champions now appear keen to get the Italian international off their wage bill.

Berlusconi added: "I was the first to say Pirlo must stay but then they showed me the sums for his salary.

"We'll see what happens."